Who funds National Geographic Society?

Washington, District of Columbia · EIN 53-0193519 · NTEE B030 · 501(c)(3)

203 private foundations paid National Geographic Society 341 grants on IRS Form 990-PF returns for tax year 2022 or later, $80M in all. Its IRS activity code (NTEE B030) places it in education.

All years on file, including returns before 2022.

Foundations that funded it

The 200 largest by total, of 205 on file.

Largest grants since 2022

Largest first. The purpose is what the foundation wrote on its return, for the tax year shown.

• Lilly Endowment Inc · 2025 - Archives preservation$57,036,726
• The Bloomberg Family Foundation Inc · 2024 - To protect the ocean$2,400,000
• The Bloomberg Family Foundation Inc · 2023 - To support sustainable fishing practices and protect coral reefs$2,400,000
• Allen Family Philanthropies · 2024 - To support the slingshot challenge$1,763,533
• Inclusive Capital Partners Foundation · 2024 - Pristine Seas Fund$1,666,667
• Inclusive Capital Partners Foundation · 2023 - Pristine Seas fund$1,666,667
• The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation · 2024 - To support the base camp project fund and the base camp maintenance fund$1,600,000
• The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation · 2023 - To support the base camp project fund.$1,600,000
• Allen Family Philanthropies · 2023 - To support the slingshot challenge$1,593,133
• The Renwick Foundation - USA · 2024 - Support for conservation efforts - project ceti; gulf of mexico-paths to protection; okavango wilderness project; conserving gorillas…$1,000,000
• Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation · 2024 - To support a pilot study for the urban exploration project, aimed at improving our understanding of animal behavior in human-modified…$620,000
• John Templeton Foundation · 2024 - National geographic society storytelling project$600,000
• The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment Inc · 2024 - Pristine seas$500,000
• The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment Inc · 2023 - Pristine seas$500,000
• Conrad N Hilton Foundation · 2024 - To support local storytellers (videographers, photographers, and authors) to elevate the voices of those with lived experiences around the…$415,000
• The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation · 2024 - To support the base camp project fund and the base camp maintenance fund$400,000
• The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation · 2023 - To support the base camp maintenance fund.$400,000
• Philip Stephenson Foundation · 2023 - National geographic pristine seas program$210,000
• Jacarlene Foundation · 2025 - 2025 grant award$200,000
• Philip Stephenson Foundation · 2024 - National geographic pristine seas program$200,000
• Farlight Foundation F/K/A I See a Foundation · 2024 - To support the organization's mission$200,000
• The Shared Earth Foundation · 2025 - Support for the organization's program to protect and conserve african wild dogs in zimbabwe as well as support for the forthcoming book…$150,000
• The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation · 2024 - General operating support$150,000
• The Shared Earth Foundation · 2024 - Support for the organization's program to protect and conserve african wild dogs in zimbabwe as well as support for the forthcoming book…$150,000
• The Shared Earth Foundation · 2023 - Support for the organization's program to protect and conserve african wild dogs in zimbabwe as well as support for the forthcoming book…$150,000

Organizations the same foundations fund

Organizations paid by many of the same foundations since 2022, by how much their lists of funders overlap.

• National Wildlife FederationReston, VA · 36 shared funders
• National Park FoundationWashington, DC · 41 shared funders
• African Wildlife FoundationWashington, DC · 20 shared funders
• Guide Dogs for the Blind IncSan Rafael, CA · 24 shared funders
• Rails to Trails ConservancyWashington, DC · 17 shared funders
• Feed the Children IncOklahoma City, OK · 22 shared funders
• Farm Sanctuary IncWatkins Glen, NY · 17 shared funders
• Trustees of Boston UniversityOxford, OH · 17 shared funders

By tax year of the funder's return

More funders nearby

• Education grants in District of Columbia
• All foundation grants in District of Columbia

How this page is made

Each grant comes from a foundation's IRS Form 990-PF and was linked to this EIN only when this was the single organization in the IRS Business Master File with that name in that state. Grants written under a different spelling, or where several organizations share the name, are not counted here, so the real totals can be higher. Government grants and gifts from individuals do not appear on these returns.

• IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 53-0193519
• IRS Business Master File record updated Nov 9, 2026; listed in Publication 78 (eligible for deductible contributions)

Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.